STEVE Cotterill hopes that joining the jet-set can take Burnley to new heights next season.

The Clarets boss has expressed his annoyance at the timing of several games on the newly-released fixture list, most notably the lengthy trips to Norwich and QPR over Christmas and the New Year.

Cotterill planned to scrutinise all the matches today to see if any could be shuffled a day or two either way to help lengthen the recovery periods for his lightweight squad.

And with a growing number of Championship rivals now based in the south, he is also aiming to ease the burden on his players by flying to at least SIX league games.

Cotterill said: "I can't quite believe the games we've been handed over Christmas and we are going to sit down in the next day or so and see if there is any way we can pinch a day here or there.

"Millwall have already asked us to put our home game back a day, so there could be scope for manoeuvre in some fixtures and we are going to go through them with a fine toothcomb to see what we can do.

"But certainly with the Norwich game we are going to see if we can get some flights sponsored. The Championship has become more of a southern league and next season it would be good if we could manage to get into a situation where we could fly to six games.

"There are more I would ideally like, but for starters there is Norwich, Ipswich, Southampton, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Plymouth. All of them are pretty awful trips, but even after that come the likes of Cardiff and QPR.

"At the end of the day, it doesn't guarantee that you will win or draw such games - it just gives you a better chance because when you're on a bus for long periods of time, your performances can suffer."

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Supporters could now be offered the chance to join the Clarets on their flights south, as happened during the final year of Stan Ternent's reign during a trip to West Ham from Blackpool Airport.

Cotterill added: "I know it is a big deal and it can cost a lot of money, but supporters would hopefully be able to join us and it would be a unique opportunity and a good experience to travel with the lads."

Meanwhile, Cotterill was far happier with the opening Championship fixtures Burnley have been handed.

The Clarets travel to Crewe for the opening league game on Saturday, August 6, followed by successive home games in a week against Sheffield United and Coventry City.

He said: "Crewe away from home is a difficult start for us because they are a good footballing side. But if we can go there and play as well as last year we will be delighted with that and hopefully get off to a good start.

"We then have two home games against difficult opponents, but we have a bit more pace and power in the squad than last season and although that is not a guaranteed recipe for success, it is a big help."